For Michigan State University students, summer is a time to learn, discover, inspire and create.

As this summer ends, see how they pursued their goals and made their mark on the world.

Scroll to see student stories and search #SpartanSummer to view even more.

Student archaeologists unearth MSU history

Students in MSU’s Archaeology Field
School spent part of the summer excavating a
historic farmstead on the east side of MSU’s
campus. The team unearthed relics from the past while learning about excavation, surveying
and mapping, artifact identification and 3D modeling.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

The Department of Anthropology and the Campus Archaeology Program offered a
four-week archaeological field school, investigating the stories and material culture of
historic families who owned property on what would later become Michigan State
University.

Students catalog artifacts they find during excavation of a former homestead on MSU’s
campus. Throughout the summer they shared their learnings through public outreach
opportunities, archaeological tours and blogs.

Students in the field school program take measurements and record data at the
excavation site near Holmes and Akers residence halls on the east side of campus. They
take care to preserve roots that bisect the dig site.

Tracking big cat predators

Animal science senior Lacey Olsen traveled to South Africa for 10 weeks for a predator
research internship, tracking lions to study their behavior after reintroduction on a
wildlife reserve.

“This experience really confirmed my interest in pursuing grad
school and research
as a future career, as well as studying wildlife conservation and human interaction and
conflicts.”

— Lacey Olsen, animal science senior

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser
that
supports HTML5
video

East Lansing to Nigeria to Detroit

Accounting senior Sahil Aswani began his summer in his hometown of Lagos, Nigeria, spending
time with family and friends. Aswani then boarded a flight for Detroit, where he spent the
rest of the summer as an intern with Deloitte. His projects at the accounting firm included
an annual safety act compliance audit in the automotive industry.

“It was great to be entrusted with big responsibilities and be
surrounded by top
professionals in my field.”

— Sahil Aswani, accounting senior

Go Green. Go White. Go Fast.

MSU’s Formula Racing Team doesn’t
slow down in the summer. The group of Spartan
engineers hit the road, traveling to competitions in Michigan, Nebraska and Pennsylvania
where they raced against other college teams. Each team raises funds and designs, builds and
races small cars — putting their engineering and problem-solving chops to the test.

A perennial Top 10 team, MSU Formula Racing’s current car is one of the
fastest in team
history. But speed isn’t the only important factor.

“We take great pride in how high we place in design each year, which
is really not only
the car you build and how fast it is, but also how well you back up those designs with
engineering principles.”

— Christopher McCloskey, mechanical engineering senior
and project manager for the team

Your browser does not support the video tag.

An exploration of Japan before freshman year

Erin Sawyer started her freshman year at MSU with a fresh stamp in her passport from a
First-year Seminar Abroad in
Japan. She and fellow students and faculty immersed
themselves in Japanese history and culture while exploring Tokyo and Kyoto.

“This seminar helped me grow my language skills and gain a deeper
cultural
understanding in an immersive learning environment, which will help me tremendously as I
work toward a Japanese minor.”

— Erin Sawyer, freshman

Building community in Detroit

Malik Washington and fellow students in MSU’s InnovateGov
summer program joined
civic organizations throughout Detroit to create solutions to some of the city’s
biggest challenges. Washington, who graduated this summer with a degree in public
policy, worked in the mayor’s office, where he took part in community outreach
initiatives and attended the 2020 Democratic debates hosted in Detroit.

"As a Detroit native, my summer experience was important to me
because I wanted to
be in a position where I could advocate and propose solutions ensuring that we are
creating a Detroit built on inclusionary growth and economic opportunity for all."

— Malik Washington, public policy graduate

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser
that
supports HTML5
video

“My greatest takeaway from Summer Circle Theatre was its ability to
prepare me for the
craziness that awaits me in the future in regard to working hard, learning from those around
you, leaning into your craft and growing as a creator.”

— Zaria Aikens, acting and computer science junior

Students help survivors

Junior Katie Paulot and senior Jala Jefferson are trained volunteers with MSU’s
Sexual Assault Program who spent the summer providing fellow students with support
through the program’s Crisis Chat. The confidential online service connects
individuals experiencing sexual assault or relationship violence with resources.

“I enjoy volunteering with the Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention
team because I
feel that we provide a great service to the MSU community and help to support survivors
on and off campus. This experience is important to me to grow as an individual as well
as learning how to connect and support our community.”

— Katie Paulot, comparative cultures and politics junior

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser
that
supports HTML5
video